Trapped elephant rescued from mud hole at famous Kenyan game park
Rescuers pulled the elephant to safety after it became stuck in a mud hole following heavy rain the area.
The ongoing rains in Kenya left an elephant stuck in mud at one of the country’s famous national parks, prompting an hours-long operation that rescuers described as “very challenging”.
Rangers at the Tsavo East National Park received reports on Wednesday morning from the local community about the elephant stuck along River Galana in Chakama area, in the coastal Kilifi County.
The sinkhole was too deep and steep to escape, but the elephant could move around inside, said the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a conservation charity that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife.
Rescuers from the charity together with park rangers reckoned that the sinkhole presented a challenge for teams to position the straps needed to free the hefty animal.
Quick discussions with the veterinarian on duty resolved to keep trying pulling out the animal without the need of anesthetising it.
Finally, the team managed to loop straps behind the bull and attached them to a vehicle before pulling him from his muddy trap.
“The elephant was safely freed, and teams remain on site ensuring it moves away from nearby homes,” the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said.
The agency credited the rescue to the power of community partnership in conservation.